Still a waiting game for 93-1 beneficiaries

CEBU, Philippines — A year after it was approved, the Cebu City government and the Province of Cebu have yet to comply with the provisions stipulated under the signed 93-1 land swap deal.

Under the memorandum of agreement, signed by Mayor Tomas Osmeña and Governor Hilario Davide III on December 7 last year, the province will give to the city 32 hectares of unsold or unpaid lots under the 93-1 ordinance being occupied by the beneficiaries.

Other lots to be given by the Capitol to the city is the 1.5 hectare lot in the Department of Agriculture compound in Barangay Guadalupe; a 2,358-square meter lot along Gorordo Ave., and another 577-square meter lot on Don Gil Garcia St. in Barangay Capitol Site.

For its part, the city will give to the province the 3.3-hectare block 27 in the North Reclamation Area (NRA), and other NRA lots where the Septage Treatment Plant (13,711 square meters) and the city’s abattoir (2,476 square meters) are located.

The city will also give a 2.5-hectare lot in the South Road Properties, a 9-hectare lot in Pulpogan, Consolacion and the Cebu City Zoo in Barangay Kalunasan.

Meriam Consuelo Fernandez, head of the Cebu City Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor, said the disposition of properties is still pending before the Commission on Audit.

She said the Capitol and city are seeking approval from COA to make sure they are legally allowed to transfer the properties and to avoid irregularities in the future.

She said though all the pertinent documents, including the deed of donation, are now ready.

She also attributed the delay in the transfer of properties to the appraisal of the fair market values of the lots located in barangays Kamputhaw, Capitol Site, Kalunasan, Busay, Luz, Lahug, Mabolo, Apas, Lorega, Kasambagan, and Tejero in Cebu City.

Fernandez said they are hoping to get COA’s approval January next year.

Councilor Raymond Alvin Garcia of Barug Team Rama said Osmeña should fulfill his campaign promise to solve the 93-1 lot dispute issue. (FREEMAN)